If you find most restaurants’ “spicy” dishes bland and epitomes of deceptive marketing, then you’ve come to the right place (err well, article). Search no further; we’ve hunted for Manila’s hottest, lip-and-tongue-burning grub. Questions of where and what have been answered below; the only stone left unturned is—can you handle it?

Satisfy your spicy cravings with these 8 deliciously-risqué dishes!

Takashi Japanese Cuisine: Level 5 Volcano Ramen

Pioneer Center Supermart, 8006 Pioneer Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
0905 510 9554 | Facebook
Open daily from 11:30am to 10pm
Budget for two – P700

Since the weather calls for cozy sweaters and comforting bowls of soup, let’s start this spicy escapade with some ramen dishes. First up, let’s head to Takashi.

Don’t mistake the broth’s bright red hue for ketchup or food coloring. That’s simply an accurate indication of how spicy Takashi’s Volcano Ramen is. It’s hot as it is, but you can up the ante with its levels of spiciness. Go for #5 for the ultimate thrill!

Shinomiya: Level 5 Tantanmen

Westgate Center, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa City
(02) 865 1649 | Facebook
Open daily from 11am to 2pm, 5pm to 11pm
Budget for two – P800

You’ll never settle for any other Tantanmen after trying Shinomiya’s blazing version. Check out the fresh chilies on top and the broth brimmed with chili oil.  You’re likely to have a pink, slightly-burnt mouth after slurping on this, but the umami will be totally worth it.

Hanamaruken: Spicy Tobanjan Ramen

Locate the branch nearest you here.
(02) 720 9283 | Facebook
Budget for two – P1000

Hailing from Osaka, Hanamaruken boldly claims to be serving happiness ramen or bowls of happiness. This holds true even for chili heads with their Spicy Tobanjan Ramen. Imagine rich and creamy tonkotsu broth beautifully-laced with spicy tobanjan paste for your flaring pleasure.

Ramen Yushoken: Karai Maze Soba

Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
(02) 808 7424 | Facebook
Open daily from 11am to 11pm
Budget for two – P800

Ordinary folks go for the crowd-pleasing Shoyu or Tantanmen. But for chili heads with distinct palates for the hottest, Yushoken’s Karai Maze Soba would be the only appropriate order. This is a dry type of ramen, but trust us, you won’t miss the broth with its in-your-face flavors.

El Chupacabra: Lord of the Wings

5782 Felipe Street, Poblacion, Makati City
(02) 729 3358 | Facebook
Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 4am, every Sunday from 11am to 12mn
Budget for two – P700

Next on our hot adventure—chicken!

Who knew that in the wonderland of street tacos, cheap booze and laidback fun lies an ultra-spicy pulutan? The next time you head to El Chupacabra, light up your taste buds with the juicy and saucy Lord of the Wings. It comes with blue cheese dip, which is perfect for the weaklings that need a break from the heat. Just kidding, it’s really good with it.

Buffalo Wings N’ Things: Wingsanity

Locate the branch nearest you here. | Facebook
Budget for two – P800

Have you tried their Ultimate Wingsanity Challenge? The hottest one requires a waiver form (WTF, right?), making things super legit and let’s be real—a tad bit scary. You can choose the Scoville Heat Unit measurement of your wings, ranging from 650k to 850k. Tears are likely after the challenge, but both from joy and heat.

Chicken & Beer: Hot Spicy Chicken

Locate the branch nearest you here.
Budget for two – P600

Don’t let Chicken & Beer’s friendly, playful branding fool you. If you know what to order here, you’ll be in for a hot and sweaty meal. Don’t miss their Hot Spicy Chicken, which sources its heat from a powerful coating of Korean red pepper paste.

Mao Jia: Five-Spiced Beef

114 Savana Market, Pablo Ocampo Extension, Santa Cruz, Makati City
(02) 831 2271, 0917 630 6196 | Facebook
Open daily from 10am to 11pm
Budget for two 0 P800

First things first, if you’re a true chili head, Mao Jia will be your new favorite restaurant. This hole-in-the-wall food spot specializes in Hunan cuisine, which is a type of Chinese cooking focused on (or pretty much obsessed with) chili. The Hunanese love chili so much they even use it to top watermelon!

Expect Mao Jia’s extensive menu to bring you so much joy and satisfaction. But if you’re wondering what’s the spiciest in the selection, brace yourself for the Five-Spiced Beef.

Got anything ultra-spicy to add? Sound off below!